Process of making watch-case centers



(No Model.) 1

J. 0. DUEBER. PROCESS OF MAKING WAT GH CASE CENTERS. N0. Z95 ,156.-

Patented Mar. 18, 1884.

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FI GMZQ sire "Tarts JOHN G. DUEBER, OF XEWPORT, KENTUCKY.

SPECIFICATION forming part ot' Letters Patent No. 295,156, dated March18 1884:.

Application-filed November 15, 1883.

i 0 (d5 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN C. DUEBER, a citizen of the UnitedStatesresiding at Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Keirtuclcy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processesof'Ma-king Natch- (Jase Centers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention comprises a novel method or process of constructing thosewatch-case centers which are made of rolled gold plate, the object ofthe improvement being to produce such centers in a heater and moreuniform manner and at less cost of manufacture than is possible with anyof the ordinary processes employed at the present time. This processconsists in making the center of three separate parts-to wit, a ring orannulus and two other members, termed the front and back halves,saidring being provided either with an external or internal thread for theengagement of suitable threads cut on said front and back halves.Consequently'when these. halves are screwed into or around said ring thewatch-case center is practically as firm and durable as though it weremade oi'a single piece of metal; but to prevent any intentional separation ofthese three component members of the center they may besoldered or otherwise fastened together. One convenient way of unitingthem would be to apply solder or rivets at the place where thependant-bearing is secured.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is an axial sect-ion of the blankemployed for producing the frontandibaek halves of a watch-case'center.Fig.2 is a similar section of the three difierent members ofthe centerin Quest-age of manuiacture. Fig. 3 is an axial section, showingthefront and back halves screwed into the ring. Figs. 4; and 5 are enlargedtransverse sections of two different modifications of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents a blank, which is first cut out ofrolled-gold plate, and then brought to the desired shape by being'strucl-: up in an ordinary forming or shaping press. The plate is madein the usual manner suitable metal.

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such a diameter and thickness as to produce either the front half, 13,or the back half, 0, (seen in Fig. 2,) said members BO being providedwith the customary annular flanges, shoulders, or snaps, and also withcylindrical necks Z) c, which latter are formed by properly turning downsaid blank.

D represents a ring or annulus, that c0nstitutes the inner orintermediate member of the center, said ring being somewhat thicker thanthe halves BC, and being preferably knurled, chased, or otherwiseornamented on its outer periphery, as at (Z. This ring may be spun up;but the better plan is to make it with a die and shaping-press, so as toinsure the utmost uniformity of manufacture. After these three componentmembersB C D have been brought to the desired shape, male threads arecut on the cylindrical n ecks b c, and a female thread is chased withinthe inner periphery of ring D. Said halves B b C c are now screwed intothe ring D, as seen in Fig. 3, which simple oper ation completes theconstruction of the center and leaves it ready for the application ofthe pendant, the fitting of the hinges, 820.

As a watch-case center is seldom, if ever, subjected to twisting action,there is no danger of either of the members B or 0 being screwed out ofthe ring D; but to prevent said halves being intentionally disengagedthey may be soldered in place or be secured with rivets or otherfasteni-ngs. As previously stated, the pendant-bearing can be solderedto these halves, thereby rendering'it impossible for the center to comeapart until said bearing is unsoldered.

As all the various members of the center can be made with ordinary diesand shapingpresses, it is evident said parts will not requireskillful'workmen to produce them, but can be manufactured by boys in themost rapid and uniform manner. Furthermore, as the junctions of thehalves B G with the ring D occur circumferentially around the center,they will not be perceptible.

As the leading feature of the present process consists in makingWat-cheese centers of three component members and screwing themtogether, I do not propose to limit my claim to specific details ofconstruction, provided this novel feature of thescrew-couplingisretained. One modification is seen in Fig. 4, where the 2 I senseportions of a watch-case have not been shown in the drawings, the screwcouplings orjoints having been intentionally enlarged to render themclear, and the central portion of the case I 5 being broken away.

I claim as my invention- The within-described process of makingWatch-case centers, which process consists in forming said'center of aring and a pair of halves, and then screwing together these 20 threecomponent members, substantially as herein described and set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN G. DUEBER.

Witnesses: I

JAMES H. LAYMAN, SAML. S. CARPENTER.

